I have duly recd. your letter of the 24th ult:

I should always feel pleasure in complying with your wishes. But in the present instance, besides that the task however abridged, would not accord with my prolonged indisposition, and other claims on the scanty intervals of relief, there is another obstacle, which I could not well get over. It will suffice to say of it, that it is nowise inconsistent with the respect I feel for the motives that prompted the request in behalf of your young friend, or with my confidence in the talents & accomplishments you ascribe to him. I might add that my general view of the subject prefers post obit: to anteobit biographies. I  pray you to be assured always of my high & cordial esteem.